Convertible support structure



sept. 19, 1967 K. FRITSCH 3,342,148v

CONVERTIBLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 5, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet lINVENT'OR BYW ATTORNEY Sept. 19, 1967 K, FRlTsCH 3,342,148

CONVERTIBLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Shee L Filed Aug. 5, 1966 iF/6`.4 y /f 7 l INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,342,148CONVERTIBLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE Konrad Fritsch, Kreuzwertheim, Germany,assignor to Haslocher Auszielltisch-und Moebelfabrik A. Hainke G.m.b.H.,Hasloch am Main, Germany Filed Aug. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 570,050 Claimspriority, application Germany, Aug. 9, 1965, H 56,867 4 Claims. (Cl.10S-102) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A table provided with a base havinga pair o-f spaced opposite sides. A two-section panel member supportedon the base, the two sections being pivotally connected to `one anotherat one side 4of the base. Cooperating guide means provided on the baseand on the sections for compelling mirror-symmetrical movement of thesections relative to one another and to the base so that the point ofconnection of the two sections moves in a straight line across `the baseand the sections simultaneously pivot with reference to one -another intheir common plane.

The present invention relates to a convertible support structure andmore specifically to a convertible table.

In` the, construction of housing there has for some years now been atrend toward smaller houses and apartments. Certain special-purposerooms, such as dining rooms, are frequently eliminated entirely andother rooms are assigned multiple functions to compensate las much aspossible for the elimination of such special-purpose rooms. ,v A resultof these` developments has been the everincreasing popularity ofconvertible furniture, and particularly of convertible tables. There is:frequently simply notenough floor space to accommodate both 'a couch orcocktail table and 'a dining table. Because of their differentcongurations neither of them can, however, properly fulll the functionsof the other unless provisions are made for certain changes leading to aconversion from one function to another.

In` consequence, various different types of tables have been developedwhich are convertible in order to be usable for differing functions. Allof these constructions, including the one which is perhaps best knownand in which two halves of the top may be separated from one -another soas to provide a center space inwhich an additional leaf is accommodated,`are relatively complicated and therefore expensive. Furthermore, theseconstructions are not easy to convert since they require several andfrequently cumbersome manipulations.

Industry has therefore long sought a convertible table which isrelatively simple in its construction and can therefore be manufacturedat economical prices, and

Whose conversion from one state to another can be act complished withc-onsiderably more ease than is known from the prior art in order toovercome the objections often voiced by consumers to the effect thatprior-art constructions are so difficult to convert that they frequentlyforego such conversion and consequently do not make full use of thepotential of their tables.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide aconverti-ble support structure, and particularly a convertible table,which is not possessed of the disadvantages of known prior-artconstructions.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a convertible tablewhich can be converted from one state to another with great ease and bypersons possessing neithenmechanical skill nor signilicant strength.

An additional object of the invention is to provide such a convertibletable which is simple to construct, and which is therefore inexpensiveboth as to its manufacturing cost and its possible retail price.

In accordance with one important feature of the invention my convertiblesupport structure, which may in particular be a table but could also bea structure for other purposes, for instance a support for the cushionsof a couch or daybed, comprises a -base on which a panel member issupported. This panel member includes two sections which are disposed ina common plane and which each have a lirst and a second edge facemutually inclined with reference to one another. These sections aremovable in their common plane between one position in which theirrespective first edge faces abut one another, and another position inwhich it is the respective second edge faces which abut. I furtherprovide guide means on these section-s as well as on the base, and suchguide means cooperate with one another and serve to guide the sectionsduring their movement from one to the other of the aforementionedpositions.

When, as I contemplate in an important embodiment of my invention, thesections are of rectangular configuration, so that they each have twolong edge faces and two shorter edge faces, it will be clear that thetable top will be shorter but Wider when one long edge face of onesection abuts a similar edge face of the other section, whereas turningof the sections to a position in which two respective shorter edge facesabut one another will produce a table top which is longer but narrowerthan in the position first described.

To facilitate conversion of the table from one state into another, whichis an important consideration of the invention, I construct the guidemeans in such a manner that movement of one of the sections willadvantageously compel the other section to perform a mirror-symmetricalmovement so that the conversion can in effect `be accomplished with onehand and without requiring the user to change his position relative tothe structure during the conversion, as is usually necessary withprior-art constructions.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additionalobjects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. l is a top-plan view of a novel table in accordance with thepresent invention and in one state of conversion;

FIG. 2 is a View similar to FIG. 1, butshowing the table in `anotherstate of conversion;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line III-III of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is anviewsimilar to FIG. l, but showing another embodiment of the invention;and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the embodiment of FIG. 4 inanother state of conversion.

Discussing now the drawing in detail, and firstly FIG. 1 thereof, itwill be seen that the novel convertible table shown there comprises abase, namely a frame 1 which is in theusual manner provided with legs2t. It might be pointed out here that the provision of the four legs 2is by no means necessary; the fra-me could for instance also be of thepedestal type.

Carried on the frame 1 as a panel in form of a table top comprising thetwo sections 3 and 4 which are, but need not be, identical. Tofacilitate illustration of the various components and movements thereof,the sections 3 and 4 are in the drawing assumed to consist of glass oranother transparent material so that the components in question areclearly visible therethrough. Naturally, this is not to imply anylimitation of materials to glass since the table top can obviously bemade of an almost unending variety of materials.

Each of the sections 3 and 4 is provided on its underside with a pin 6which projects downwardly away from the underside, and these pins 6 arerespectively guided in elongated slots of a guide member 16 whichextends intermediate the opposite sides of the frame 1 and parallel toboth of these opposite sides. The slots 5, as is evident, similarlyextend parallel to these sides.

In the drawing the sections 3 and 4 are shown as being of identical sizeand of rectangular configuration. This is a preferredembodiment but itshould be understood that other shapes are also possible, for instancesections in form of a quarter of a circle. However, in all embodimentsthe sections must each have a rst and a second edge face which aremutually inclined and intersect one another. A hinge 7 connects thesections 3 and 4 at their respective points of intersection in such amanner that they can pivot about the hinge pin in their common plane.

It will be clear that pivoting of the sections 3 and 4 in the directionsindicated by the arrows 6 will result in separation of the shorter edgefaces which are shown to be in abutment in FIG. 1, and in abutting ofthe longer edge faces so that the table top assumes the outline shown inFIG. 2. Naturally, this can be again reversed simply by once moretilting the sections 3 and 4, but this time in directions of the arrows6 which are shown in FIG. 2 and one will then again have the table topshown in FIG. 1. During such movements the pins 6 slide in the slots 5and thus reliably guide the sections 3 and 4 with reference to the frame1.

To further improve this guidance and to facilitate the ease ofconversion of the table top, a double-armed lever 10 can be providedwhich is secured to the member 16 so that it can pivot relative theretoabout the pivot point 10. Rods 8 and 9 are each pivotally secured to onearm of the lever 10 and are further connected with the respective pins6, and it will be clear that with this arrangement turning of either oneof the sections 3, 4 will automatically result in mirror-symmetricalmovement of the other section which is compelled thereto by the motiontransmitted through the above linkage. Not only does this arrangementmake the novel structure still more easily Convertible, but theprovision of the lever also reduces the amount of strength required forturning of the sections. Thus, conversion from one to the other statecan generally be accomplished with one hand and is possible also to theyoung and to the infirm.

The arrangement of the linkage and details of the manner in which itcooperates with the frame and the sections is most clearly seen in FIG.3 which will not require a separate description since it merely isanother view of what has already been shown and described before.

A conventional locking arrangement 11 of any wellknown type is used tosecure the sections 3 and 4 together in their respective positions ofconversion, so that they cannot accidentally move apart.

Coming now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be seenthat the arrangement is basically the same as in FIGS. 1-3. In fact,like elements have in the drawing been given like reference numerals.

The difference between the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 as opposed tothat shown in FIGS. 1-3 lies in the guide means for the sections 3 and4. The pins 6, received in slots 5 of the member 16, are provided inthis second embodiment also. However, the linkage arrangement of FIGS.1-3 is replaced by a different guiding arrangement.

Specifically, and as will be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a cross-member 12 isprovided on the frame 1 and this member 12 extends from one to the otherside of the frame, transversely of the member 16. Slidably connected tothe member 12 in direction intermediate the sides of frame 1 is acarriage 13 and the construction of this carriage, as well as detailsconcerning its slidable Connection to the member 12, do not form part ofthis invention and are already well known inthe art.

The carriage 13 is provided with an elongated slot 14 which, as is clearfrom the drawing, is elongated in the direction of movement of carriage13. The hinge 7, which connects the sections 3 and 4 with one another,in this embodiment is provided with a downwardly extending projection 15whose free end is slidably received in the slot 14 of carriage 13. Thus,when the sections 3 and 4 are moved in the direction of the respectivearrows 6, the projection 15 will initially slide in the slot 14 from oneto the other end thereof. When it reaches the end of the slot 14,projection 15 exerts pressure on the carriage 13 and compels the same tomove in a straight line from one side of the frame 1 across to theother, so that it assumes the position shown in FIG. 5. When thismovement is completed, the conversion from one state-or, putting thisdifferently, from one configuration of the table top to anotheriscompleted.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types of aconvertible table differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied inconvertible support structures, it is not intended to be limited to thedetails shown, since various modifications and structural changes may bemade without departing in any way from the spirit of the presentinvention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A convertible support structure, particularly a table, comprising, incombination, a base having a pair of spaced opposite sides; a panelmember supported on said base and comprising two sections disposed in acommon plane, each of said sections having first and second edge facesintersecting one another at a right angle; hinge means pivotallyconnecting said sections to one another at the points of intersection ofthe respective first and second edge faces and cooperating guide meansprovided on said sections and said base and arranged to compelsimultaneous mirror-symmetrical movement of said sections, in responseto movement of either section, between one position in which said pointsof intersection are located adjacent one another at one of said sideswhile the respective first edge faces abut, and another portion in whichsaid points of intersection a-re displaced in a straight line acrosssaid base from said one t-o the other side thereof and in which therespective second edge faces abut.

2. A convertible support structure, particularly a table, comprising abase having a pair of spaced opposite sides; a panel imember supportedon said base and comprising two sections of substantially rectangularoutline movably disposed in a common plane and each having a first and asecond edge face intersecting one another at a right angle, therespective first edge faces being of a length which differs from that ofthe respective second edge faces; hinge means pivotably connecting suchsections to one another at the point of intersection of the respectivefirst and second edge faces; and cooperating guide means on said baseand said section guiding the latter for movement between one position inwhich said points of intersection are located adjacent one another atone of said sides while the respective first edge faces abut, andanother position in which said points of intersection are displacedtudinal direction of the same, and motion-transmitting means arranged tocompel simultaneous mirror-symmetrical movement of said sections inresponse to movement of one :of said sections between said positions.

3. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said motion-transmittingmeans comprises a double-armed lever pivotally secured to said base anda pair of connecting rods respectively pivotally secured with oppositeends thereof t-o the free end of each arm of said lever and to one ofsaid pins.

4. A structure as delined in claim 2, wherein said motion-transmittingmeans comprises an elongated carriage connected to said base for axialmovement from said one t-o said other side of the fbase, said carriagebeing slotted in axial direction thereof and said hinge means comprisinga projection extending into the slot of said carriage, said projectionbeing normally located at one of two opposite ends of said slot andbeing longitudinally movable in the latter so that, when said sectionsare moved from one to lthe other of said positions, said projection willtravel from the one to the other end of said lcarriage and willthereupon compel the carriage to move axially toward the respectiveother side of said base.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 270,273 1/'1883 Yount 297-233332,360 12/1885 Penny 10S- 140 819,305 5/1906 McLeWee 5-12 1,055,1093/1913 Whitaker 5-2 '1,994,398 3/1935 Miller 10S-87 2,018,430 10/1935Wolcosin 10S-87 2,118,620 5/1938 Orsenigo 108--103 2,472,903 6/ 1949Kamholtz 10S-140 2, 610,099 9/ 1952 McNamara 10S-140 3,110,909 11/1963Bendell 5-12 3,224,391 12/1965 Cooper 10S-140 FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, PrimaryExaminer.

1. A CONVERTIBLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE, PARTICULARLY A TABLE, COMPRISING, INCOMBINATION, A BASE HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED OPPOSITE SIDES; A PANELMEMBER SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE AND COMPRISING TWO SECTIONS DISPOSED IN ACOMMON PLANE, EACH OF SAID SECTIONS HAVING FIRST AND SECOND EDGE FACESINTERSECTING ONE ANOTHER AT A RIGHT ANGLE; HINGE MEANS PIVOTALLYCONNECTING SAID SECTIONS TO ONE ANOTHER AT THE POINTS OF INTERSECTION OFTHE RESPECTIVE FIRST AND SECOND EDGE FACES AND COOPERATING GUIDE MEANSPROVIDED ON SAID SECTIONS AND SAID BASE AND ARRANGED TO COMPELSIMULTANEOUS MIRROR-SYMMETRICAL MOVEMENT OF SAID SECTIONS, IN RESPONSETO MOVEMENT OF EITHER SECTION, BETWEEN ONE POSITION IN WHICH SAID POINTSOF INTERSECTIONS ARE LOCATED ADJACENT ONE ANOTHER AT ONE OF SAID SIDESWHILE THE RESPECTIVE FIRST EDGE FACES ABUT, AND ANOTHER PORTION IN WHICHSAID POINTS OF INTERSECTION ARE DISPLACED IN A STRAIGHT LINE ACROSS SAIDBASE FORM SAID ONE TO THE ANOTHER SIDE THEREOF AND IN WHICH THERESPECTIVE SECOND EDGE FACES ABUT.